US Senators urge end to visa program linked to China birth tourism
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) Three Republican senators are urging the Trump administration to shut down visa and parole programs they say allow Chinese nationals to exploit US citizenship laws through birth tourism and surrogacy. Sens. Rick Scott, Jim Banks, and Markwayne Mullin sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Interior Secretary Doug […]
TikTok forms US joint venture under security order
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) TikTok said it has created a new US-based joint venture to meet federal security requirements and allow Americans to keep using the popular video app. The new entity, called TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, was formed under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on September 25, 2025. TikTok said […]
Major bushfires prompt road closures, evacuation orders in Australia
Sydney, Jan 23 (IANS) Major bushfires burning in the south of Western Australia (WA) have prompted road closures and evacuation orders for nearby towns. The WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said in a warning issued on Friday morning that a fire burning in the Fitzgerald River National Park, 420 km southeast of […]
Japanese PM Takaichi dissolves lower House to hold elections on February 8
Tokyo, Jan 23 (IANS) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday dissolved House of Representatives for a snap election set to be held on February 8, local media reported. The lower house dissolution at the outset of the ordinary parliamentary session effectively began a short campaign time for political parties ahead of the polls, with […]
India, Japan bolster strategic and economic ties
New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) The India-Japan Foreign Ministers’ dialogue in New Delhi this month reflects the strengthening of the “Special Strategic and Global Partnership” between two Indo-Pacific heavyweights navigating geopolitical flux. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, reaffirmed the ‘Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade’ unveiled during Prime […]
Laos boosts efforts to eliminate workplace discrimination
Vientiane, Jan 23 (IANS) Laos’ Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is stepping up efforts to eliminate discrimination in the workplace, including gender-based abuse and child labour. These efforts were reinforced on Wednesday during a meeting to review a draft training manual and communication tools aimed at preventing discrimination in the world of work. The […]
China could conduct ‘more aggressive’ operations around Taiwan, think tank warns
Taipei, Jan 23 (IANS) Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) Director John Dotson has warned that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could conduct “more aggressive, ambitious operations around Taiwan,” while preparing for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s goal of the PLA having the capability to take Taiwan by 2027, local media reported on Friday. A senior non-resident fellow […]
South Korean President Lee calls for public support for balanced regional growth
Seoul, Jan 23 (IANS) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that public support is crucial for the government’s push for balanced regional growth, as it seeks to ease excessive concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and foster new growth engines nationwide. Lee made the remarks as his administration is striving to develop five […]
Banks in China unable to dispose collateral homes, system under strain: Report
New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) China’s rural banks are stuck with hundreds of foreclosed homes that couldn’t get auctioned even at steep discounts, signalling deep stress in the property sector and financial system, a report has said. The report in Modern Diplomacy said that the stress in the property sector spilled into local bank balance […]
‘India vital balancing force in times of unprecedented geopolitical instability’
Tel Aviv, Jan 23 (IANS) With Tel Aviv’s position in the West weakening and currents within American public discourse growing more hostile, Israel believes that India’s leadership of BRICS carries immense significance for it on several fronts, a report highlighted on Friday. “India remains the organization’s ‘responsible adult’. New Delhi places importance on preventing BRICS […]
